Oregon Health Exchange Warns Applicants They May Need to Seek Coverage Elsewhere

Sends out robocalls to applicants

Oregon's troubled health insurance exchange began robocalling applicants Friday, warning them that if they don't receive enrollment confirmation by Monday, they should seek coverage elsewhere for Jan. 1.

"If you haven't heard from us by Dec. 23, it is unlikely your application will be processed for Jan. 1 insurance coverage," a woman's voice on the pre-recorded call from Cover Oregon says. "If you want to be sure you have insurance coverage starting Jan. 1, you have other options."

It's yet another sign that the health insurance exchange's technological breakdowns will prevent some -- perhaps many -- Oregonians from getting subsidized coverage Jan. 1, despite Gov. John Kitzhaber's previous assurances otherwise. Out of more than 65,000 applicants, the exchange reports enrolling nearly 30,000, but only about 11,000 of them in private insurance plans.

Comments

[Sevo]

But the O-state loves them some proggies! It's obviously the fault of the rethugs.

[On The Road To Mandalay]

And your point is? Please translate whatever the f**k it is you are attempting to say into plain English.

[Sevo]

The Oregon population is largely left leaning, so they won't blame Obo; they'll blame the GOP some way or other.
Are you new here?

[Steve G]

The Willamette valley population is largely left leaning... unfortunately for the rest of the state.

[Carolynp]

I could read it. I must be pretty hip.

[BFawlty]

LOL I was thinking the same thing...well the part about reading it, the hip part, not so much...sigh

[JWatts]

WTF? They've waited to Christmas Week to say go somewhere else. How likely is it that a surge in health insurance approvals are going to swamp the holiday short staffed insurance companies.

And my guess is when the insurance companies can't process the applications at the very last moment, the left will point their finger at the evil health insurance companies as the villain in the narrative.

Oh well, at least President Obama is working hard through the holidays to make sure everything that can be done is.

[Sevo]

JWatts|12.21.13 @ 3:05PM|#
"WTF? They've waited to Christmas Week to say go somewhere else"

Consider it a cheery Christmas greeting from O'care!
Hey, Obo's the master of the Friday evening decree; he's taught them well.

[Carolynp]

As an Oregonian, allow me to say pass the freaking popcorn. What most people don't know is that our state is a fair split of liberals hiding in big cities like Portland and Eugene versus the rest of a seriously conservative state. So, most of us are laughing our socks off watching these guys tread water.

[Steve G]

Hey! I shoulda scrolled down. Glad to a see another duck (or beaver) aboard.

[Carolynp]

We have always been big duck fans because my sister went to UofO, but my oldest son decided he wants to go to OSU, so we may end up with a bit of rivalry at some point.

[Sevo]

Carolyn,
Same is true of CA, but the problem is the city vote is too great to be balanced by the suburban/rural vote.

[Jesus H. Christ]

Gerrymandering has helped the left far more than the right.

[Carolynp]

Especially in Oregon where the secretary of state gerrymandered the sitting speaker of the house out of his home intentionally. What an evil bunch.

[Sevo]

Jesus H. Christ|12.21.13 @ 6:59PM|#
"Gerrymandering has helped the left far more than the right."

CA did a 'non-partisan' redistricting several years ago; the committee members were appointed by the legislature, which legislature was solidly Dem at the time.
I'm sure the outcome is surprising to you, right?

[CityGuySailing]

I don't understand the state governments position. By telling the affected persons to go elsewhere, where they will not be able to claim a subsidy if they are eligible, does that mean that the federally mandated subsidy will be lost forever, since the state could not fulfill their VOLUNTARY-ACCEPTED federally mandated obligations?